Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Usage:The term "bereave" generally refers to the experience of losing a loved one, often through death. In the biblical context, it is used to describe the deep sense of loss and mourning that accompanies such an event. The concept of bereavement is closely tied to themes of suffering, divine judgment, and the human condition in a fallen world.
Biblical References:The Bible uses the term "bereave" in various contexts, often highlighting the emotional and spiritual impact of loss. In the Old Testament, bereavement is frequently associated with God's judgment and the consequences of sin.
1.
Genesis 42:36 : "Their father Jacob said to them, 'You have bereaved me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me!'"
In this passage, Jacob expresses his deep sorrow and sense of loss over the perceived death of his sons. The term "bereaved" underscores the profound grief and despair he feels.
2.
Ezekiel 36:13-14 : "For this is what the Lord GOD says: 'Because people say to you, "You devour men and deprive your nation of its children," therefore you will no longer devour men or deprive your nation of its children,' declares the Lord GOD."
Here, the term is used metaphorically to describe the land of Israel as being bereft of its people due to judgment and exile. The promise of restoration is also implied, as God declares an end to this state of bereavement.
3.
Lamentations 1:20 : "See, O LORD, how distressed I am! I am in torment within, and in my heart I am disturbed, for I have been most rebellious. Outside, the sword bereaves; inside, there is only death."
The prophet Jeremiah laments the destruction of Jerusalem, using the imagery of bereavement to convey the depth of the city's suffering and loss.
Theological Implications:Bereavement in the Bible often serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the brokenness of the world. It is a state that evokes compassion and calls for divine intervention. The experience of bereavement is not only a personal trial but also a communal one, affecting families, communities, and nations.
God's Compassion and Comfort:Despite the sorrow associated with bereavement, the Bible also emphasizes God's compassion and comfort for those who mourn. In the New Testament, Jesus is portrayed as one who brings comfort to the bereaved, offering hope and restoration.
·
Matthew 5:4 : "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."
This beatitude from the Sermon on the Mount assures believers that their mourning will be met with divine comfort.
·
John 11:35 : "Jesus wept."
In the account of Lazarus, Jesus' own expression of grief demonstrates His empathy and compassion for those who are bereaved.
Practical Application:For believers, the experience of bereavement is an opportunity to draw closer to God, seeking His comfort and strength. The church community is called to support those who are grieving, offering prayer, presence, and practical help. Bereavement also serves as a reminder of the hope of resurrection and eternal life, where death and loss will be no more.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To make destitute; to deprive; to take away; as, the accident bereaved them of their father.
2. (v. t.) To take away from.
3. (v. t.) To take away.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BEREAVE; BEREAVER; BEREFTbe-rev', be-rev'-er, be-reft': Bereave is frequently used in the Old Testament in the (now almost obsolete) meaning of "to deprive," "to take away," especially with reference to loss of children. The Hebrew word used here is shakhol, "to be childless," or in the Piel "to make childless" (compareGenesis 42:36 et al.). In the King James VersionEcclesiastes 4:8 (from the Hebrew chacer, "to lack") we read "and bereave my soul of good" (the Revised Version (British and American) "deprive"), and inEzekiel 36:14 (from Hebrew kashal, "to stumble"), "neither bereave thy nations any more" (the Revised Version, margin "cause to stumble").
Bereaver, otherwise very rare, is found the Revised Version (British and American)Ezekiel 36:13 (from Hebrew shakhol "to be childless"), "a bereaver of thy nation" (the King James Version "hast bereaved").
Bereft is found in1 Timothy 6:5 (from the Greek apostereo, "to rob") "bereft of the truth" (the King James Version "destitute"). The expression bereavement (the Revised Version (British and American)Isaiah 49:20) in the phrase "the children of thy bereft" means "the children born to thee in the time when God had afflicted thee."
A. L. Breslich
Greek
642. aporphanizo -- to be bereaved... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: aporphanizo Phonetic Spelling: (ap-or-fan-
id'-zo) Short Definition: I separate from some one,
bereave Definition: I
...3443. monoo -- to leave alone, forsake
... be desolate. From monos; to isolate, ieBereave -- be desolate. see GREEK monos.
(memonomene) -- 1 Occurrence. 3442, 3443. monoo. 3444 . Strong's Numbers.
Strong's Hebrew
7921. shakol -- to be bereaved... shakol or shakal. 7922 . to be bereaved. Transliteration: shakol or shakal Phonetic
Spelling: (shaw-kole') Short Definition:
bereave. Word Origin a prim.
...2637. chaser -- to lack, need, be lacking, decrease
... be abated,bereave, decrease, cause to fail, have lack, make lower, want.
A primitive root; to lack; by implication, to fail, want...
3782. kashal -- to stumble, stagger, totter
...bereave, cast down, be decayed, cause to fail, make to fall down feeble,
be the ruined. A primitive root; to totter or waver (through...
Library
Claim of Missions on Ministers of Influence.
... would be sustained by their leaving it; and would have said, If we must part with
some of our teachers, take Simeon, and Lucius, and Manaen, butbereave us not...
There is Surely Reason, in Such a Case, to Say it is Well...
... Therefore GOD says, I willbereave them of Children[e]; I take away the Desire of
thine Eyes with a Stroke[f]. He changeth their Countenance, and sendeth them...
How Christ is the Way in General, "I am the Way. "
... The thoughts of their condition neverbereave them of one night's rest: No challenges
have they; all is at peace with them, for the strong man keeps the house....
The Constellations and the Genii Very Indifferent Gods the Roman...
... by not permitting him to be enclosed within your city-walls; there is C??culus also,
to deprive the eyes of their perception; and Orbana, tobereave seed of...
Thus was all the Earth Afflicted; and from East to West...
... Against you neither scourges, nor iron claws, nor fire, nor sword, nor various kinds
of torture, availed aught; and no violence couldbereave you of your...
Having Thus Attained to the Highest Power, He Bent his Mind to...
... establish it in the Roman dominions; and because he could not do this by an express
law, he so acted, in imitation of the Persian kings, as tobereave men of...
Philippians iii. 3-Jan
... the flesh.". Dejection and care, whenever they strain the soul beyond due
measure,bereave it of its native force. And therefore...
Songs of the Cross Queen Maria of Hungary's Song.
... God is not far, though hidden now,. He soon shall rise and make them bow. Who of
His wordbereave me. Judge as ye will my cause this hour,. Yours is the power,....
Or Take the Following Hymn, which Surely Embodies a Noble...
... Who well I know. With craft and wrath is working hour by hour,. Me e'er deceive,
or e'erbereave. Of Thy dear Presence that benumbs his power....
Your Gods, it is Recorded, Dine on Celestial Couches...
... nor do you check, by any fear of chastisement at least, the recklessness of your
wanton literature; others, through madness and frenzy,bereave themselves, and...
Thesaurus
Bereave (10 Occurrences)... 2. (vt) To take away from. 3. (vt) To take away. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia.
BEREAVE; BEREAVER; BEREFT. be-rev', be-rev'-er, be
...Bereft (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (pp) ofBereave. 2. (v.) imp. & pp ofBereave.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.BEREAVE; BEREAVER; BEREFT....
Bereaver (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who bereaves. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia.BEREAVE; BEREAVER; BEREFT. be-rev', be-rev'-er, be...
Widow (71 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Widowed. 3. (vt) To reduce to the condition of a widow; tobereave
of a husband; -- rarely used except in the past participle....
Deprive (17 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To dispossess; tobereave; to divest; to hinder from possessing; to debar;
to shut out from; -- with a remoter object, usually preceded by of....
Childless (25 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Deuteronomy 32:25 Outside the sword shallbereave, and in the chambers,
terror; on both young man and virgin, The suckling with the gray-haired man....
Bereaved (20 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofBereave. Multi-Version Concordance
Bereaved (20 Occurrences). John 14:18 I will not leave...
Nursling (3 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 32:25 Outside the sword shallbereave, and in the chambers, terror;
on both young man and virgin, The suckling with the gray-haired man. (See NAS)....
Laboring (8 Occurrences)
... hath neither son nor brother; yet is there no end of all his labour, neither is
his eye satisfied with riches: 'for whom then do I labour, andbereave my soul...
Gray-haired (4 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 32:25 Outside the sword shallbereave, and in the chambers, terror;
on both young man and virgin, The suckling with the gray-haired man. (WEB NIV)....
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